13 Vegan Bacon Recipes You Absolutely Need to Try (2024)

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These vegan bacon recipes are going to blow your mind! Who knew you could recreate the delicious flavor of bacon in so many ways? If you miss bacon, you need to try out these recipes!

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“But bacon” is a common response I often hear when people first find out that I’m vegan. Yes, yes, bacon is delicious, I get it. Most people don’t go vegan because they hate the taste of meat.

There’s just something about that crispy, sweet, smoky goodness that makes it so hard to give up. The good news is there are plenty of options to make your own vegan and vegetarian bacon.

There’s always the store-bought route but trust me, you’re going to want to try some of these homemade bacons! It’s actually really easy and more affordable to make your own at home. Plus you can control how sweet or smoky you like it.

There are so many good vegan bacon recipes out there but I rounded up the best ones to share with you here. Work your way through them and let us know in the comments which ones you try!

Veggie Bacon

These faux bacons are made with vegetables as the base. Some vegetables make a great base when sliced thinly. They crisp up nicely and work well with the flavors to make a truly delicious bacon alternative.

Carrot Bacon

Smoky and delicious bacon made from carrots. This recipe is based off the viral TikTok video and will not disappoint! Make vegan bacon in a matter of minutes and serve with breakfast, brunch, or even in a vegan BLT.

Check out this recipe

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Smoky Sweet Vegan Eggplant Bacon

Cook up crispy delicious eggplant bacon strips for your vegan bacon fix. A quick marinade lends a bacon-y flavor to strips of eggplant that actually resemble bacon.

Check out this recipe

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Easy Vegan Mushroom Bacon

This easy vegan mushroom bacon is the answer to bringing amazing flavor to all your meals. Add it to just about anything!

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Zucchini Bacon

This crispy zucchini with a smoky flavor is a great option!Zucchini absorbs flavor well for a truly delicious bacon substitute!

Check out this recipe

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Tofu and Tempeh Bacon

Tofu and tempeh are both soy products that are perfect for making bacon with. They’re best when you want a flat piece of bacon like for a BLT. They both also absorb the flavor well, making them a great bacon substitute.

Tempeh Bacon (Oil Free)

Vegan Tempeh Bacon is quick and easy to make at home. Build a vegan BLT for a delicious lunch or serve it on the side of a tofu scramble for a savory breakfast.

Check out this recipe

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Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon

This Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon is the perfect addition to your breakfast table. You can also use it to make a sandwich such as a vegan BLT, or chop it up and add it to your salad. This vegan bacon is full of flavor, easy to make and gluten-free! Stovetop and oven methods are also included.

Check out this recipe

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Tofu Bacon

This tofu bacon is salty, smoky, and chewy. Firm tofu works great as a vegan bacon because it soaks up flavor so well and is rich in protein.

Check out this recipe

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Smoked Tempeh Maple Bacon Bits

These vegan bacon bits are made of tempeh and only require 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. They’re salty, sweet, and smoky – everything bacon bits should be!

Check out this recipe

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This next one is not technically tofu or tempeh but it is made with soy. TVP, or Textured Vegetable Protein, is made from defatted soy flour that has been cooked under pressure and then dried. It makes a great bacon replacement as well!

Vegan Bacon Bits

A little smoky, and a little spicy, these vegan bacon bits made from TVP are an easy and healthy fix for your ‘bacon’ flavor cravings! Super yummy topping for baked potatoes, soups, salads, and more!

Check out this recipe

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Coconut Bacon

Coconut bacon is a great alternative to bacon bits. They already have a touch of sweetness and crisp up easily.

Coconut Bacon

Vegan bacon made from coconut? OH YES! Crispy, smoky, just a tad sweet, and so amazingly delicious, you’ll never miss the real thing!

Check out this recipe

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Almond Bacon

Yep, even nuts can be turned into bacon! And nuts provide a nice crunch.

Almond Bacon

This Almond Bacon is super easy to make, full of flavor and perfect for adding to vegan scrambles for a healthy brunch. It’s also refined sugar free and gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

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Rice Paper Bacon

Rice paper makes a nice neutral based for vegan bacon. It also doesn’t require as much prep as preparing vegetables.

Rice Paper Vegan Bacon

Looking for a healthier alternative to traditional bacon? This Rice Paper Vegan Bacon is crispy, chewy, sweet, salty, smoky, and just as tasty as the original.

Check out this recipe

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Banana Peel Bacon

Banana Peel Bacon

Yes, you read that right, this is banana peel bacon. A vegan bacon recipe made from the banana peels that you would otherwise toss away. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. Does it taste good? Yes, it does. It really, really does!

Check out this recipe

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So which are your favorite fakin bacons? Or facons if you will. Let us know below which ones you try. We make carrot bacon often and even use it in this delicious carrot bacon wrapped apple bites vegan appetizer. Use these veggie bacons just as you would real bacon—the possibilities are endless!

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Rachel

Welcome to HML, I'm Rachel! I'm here to help you transition to a healthy plant-based diet in the easiest way possible. I share simple recipes and tips you can implement today to make it practical and approachable.

13 Vegan Bacon Recipes You Absolutely Need to Try (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan bacon made from? ›

This time it's for an oven-baked vegan bacon made of rice paper, crumbled tofu, vegan butter, and spices. Rice paper bacon has been on the scene for a long time — long before any commercial bacon analogues existed on supermarket shelves.

How healthy is vegan bacon? ›

Vegan bacon could therefore be seen as a better alternative to pig bacon, but that's not to say it's a healthy food product. Plant-based meats are ultra processed foods, and they also tend to be high in salt. They are, however, lower in saturated fat, and don't contain the same preservatives as pig bacon.

What do vegans use in place of bacon? ›

There are several great vegan substitutes for bacon. Shiitake mushrooms, tofu pieces, tempeh, and coconut flakes all taste incredible as vegan bacon, but you won't get the look of bacon strips, more of bacon bits.

What are the ingredients in facon? ›

Ingredients: 49% pea protein* (of which 79% pea protein*, 20% horse beans*, salt), rapeseed oil*, water, tomato concentrate*, apple juice*, onion granules*, smoked salt, salt, apple cider vinegar*, sweet paprika* and garlic granules*.

Does vegan bacon taste like real bacon? ›

And where can you find it? Here's everything you need to know about this surprisingly realistic-tasting vegan bacon. Hooray Foods' plant-based bacon has less sodium and fat than real bacon but tastes a whole lot like the real stuff.

Is vegan healthier than meat? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

What tastes like bacon but isn't bacon? ›

There are a variety of ways to make vegetarian bacon, but it is often made from ingredients such as soy, tempeh, or mushrooms, which are flavored and processed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional bacon. Some brands may also use pea protein, rice, or wheat gluten to make vegetarian bacon.

Does fake bacon taste like bacon? ›

NO. Tofu, Coconut Meat, Seitan or Tempeh (depending on what you use for your facon) will never taste or even be the same consistency as REAL BACON no matter how much SOY sauce you use.

Do vegans eat rice? ›

Yes, absolutely! Rice is a common grain in all cooking and has a significant place in the plant-based world too. Some rice dishes may not be suitable for vegans though, so if you're eating out or following a recipe make sure there are no meat, fish or other animal products being used before you tuck in!

What do vegans use instead of cheese? ›

SAY CHEESE- 10 VEGAN SUBSTITUTES TO SATISFY YOUR CHEESE CRAVINGS”
  • Cashew Cream Cheese: Creamy Dream Come True. ...
  • Nutritional Yeast: The Cheesy Secret. ...
  • Tofu Ricotta: ...
  • Tahini – ...
  • Roasted salted almonds – ...
  • Hummus – ...
  • Peanut Butter or Sunflower Butter. ...
  • Avocado –
Oct 20, 2023

What is a good vegan cheese? ›

Mixed in the cooked pasta and made a really quick and easy dinner.
  • Misha's Kind Foods – J. O.I. ...
  • Violife Foods – Just Like Feta Block. ...
  • Miyoko's Creamery – Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella. ...
  • Chao Creamery by Field Roast – Creamy Original Shreds.
Oct 18, 2022

What is gypsy bacon? ›

A very traditional and old-fashioned form of bacon, Gypsy bacon is prepared with garlic and paprika giving it its characteristic spice that is similar to Hungarian bacon. It is rich in flavor and pungent in aroma and usually cooked over and enjoyed around the campfire.

What is Lightlife bacon made of? ›

Ingredients: WATER, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, SUGAR, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORS, SPICE EXTRACTIVES, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CARRAGEENAN, YEAST EXTRACT, VEGETABLE OIL, NATURAL FLAVOR, RED RICE FLOUR, SMOKED SUGAR, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR).

What is the cow version of bacon? ›

Simply put, beef bacon is a variation of regular bacon made from beef rather than pork. Pork bacon is generally made from sliced pork belly. Like traditional bacon, beef bacon can also be made from the beef belly. However, it can also be made from the brisket or round for leaner options.

Is vegan bacon healthier than normal bacon? ›

Bacon is also high in salt, and too much salt can lead to high blood pressure. Plant-based meats tend to be lower in saturated fat and calories compared to their traditional counterparts.

Can you eat vegan bacon raw? ›

While it may be tempting to skip cooking your favorite plant-based meat and simply crumble it over a salad or add to a sandwich, eating plant-based meat raw isn't recommended. Not only is eating plant-based meat raw a food safety risk, doing so will means that it will lack the quality and taste you'd expect.

Is beyond meat really vegan? ›

All the flavor you want, none of the cholesterol, hormones, or GMOs you don't. IS BEYOND BEEF® VEGAN? Absolutely! Beyond Meat® products are plant-based and vegan.

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